Apparatus and method for inspecting lateral sewer pipes

• US 6,505,525 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aries Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Aries Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: McGrew, R. Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): CYGAN, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/186,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20020166396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 201 Days
• Field of Search: 348/82, 348/84, 738/658, 736/23
• US Class Current: 73/865.8
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/005 using pigs or moles G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A self-propelled lateral inspection apparatus includes a body, a main camera fixed to the body, and a lateral camera movable with respect to the body into a lateral sewer pipe. A low frequency beacon is carried by the lateral camera or may be provided separately from the lateral camera. The beacon may be used to determine the position of the lateral camera in the lateral sewer pipe, or to map the lateral sewer pipe. A picture-in-picture processor is carried by the body, and permits an above-ground user to view video images from both the main and lateral cameras simultaneously on a single monitor screen.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting a lateral pipe from a main pipe with a pipe inspection apparatus including a frame movable within the main pipe, a lateral camera movable with respect to the frame and insertable into the lateral pipe, and a main camera mounted to the frame, the method comprising:

providing a monitor;

displaying images from the lateral camera and the main camera simultaneously on the monitor;

maneuvering the inspection apparatus within the main pipe to a position proximate the lateral opening while simultaneously viewing the main camera and lateral camera images;

aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening while viewing the lateral camera images; and

inserting the so-aligned lateral camera into the lateral pipe.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the lateral camera within the field of view of the main camera; and

wherein said aligning step includes monitoring both the lateral camera and the lateral opening with the main camera while aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligning step includes rotating the lateral camera about a longitudinal axis of the frame while viewing the lateral camera and the lateral opening in the image from the main camera.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying step includes simultaneously displaying images on a single monitor with a picture-in-picture processor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting step includes inserting a cable with the lateral camera, the method further comprising measuring the amount of cable that has been inserted into the lateral pipe with a meter.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the act of measuring includes measuring with a meter including a rotor magnet and a pair of Hall switches.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising retracting the lateral camera and cable from the lateral pipe.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising positioning the inspection apparatus within the main pipe near a second lateral pipe while simultaneously monitoring the main and lateral images, and inserting the lateral camera and cable into the second lateral pipe.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inserting a beacon into the lateral pipe with the lateral camera;

emitting a signal from a beacon connected to the lateral camera; and

receiving the signal with a receiver to indicate the position of the lateral camera within the lateral pipe.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

mapping the lateral pipe from images provided by the lateral camera and main camera, and the position indicated by the beacon and receiver.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising protecting the main camera from being physically damaged in the event of a roll-over with a shield mounted to the frame near the main camera.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising illuminating the main pipe and the lateral pipe with LED'"'"'s mounted on the main camera and the lateral camera.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of providing includes providing a processor for simultaneously displaying images from the main camera and the lateral camera on the monitor.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of providing includes providing a first monitor and a second monitor, and the act of displaying includes displaying the image from the lateral camera on the first monitor while simultaneously displaying the image from the main camera on the second monitor.

15. A method for inspecting a lateral pipe from a main pipe with a lateral inspection apparatus having main and lateral cameras, the method comprising:

viewing the main pipe with a main camera;

positioning the inspection apparatus near a lateral opening in the main pipe while viewing the image from the main camera;

aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening while viewing the lateral camera and the lateral opening with the main camera;

inserting the lateral camera into the lateral pipe through the lateral opening; and

viewing the lateral pipe with the lateral camera.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said aligning step includes simultaneously viewing images from the main and lateral cameras.